Closure for containers



H. P. LEWIS ET AL 2,055,582

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1955 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Helen P. Lewis and Walter S. Lewis, Idylwood, Va.

Application October 2, 1935, Serial No. 43,269

14 Claims.

Our invention relates broadly to closures for containers and more particularly to a method and means for attaching a closure to a tube-like container.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide an improved construction of closure for tube-like containers in which a carrier for the closure may be rigidly connected with the top of the tube-like container.

Another object of our invention is to provide a construction of tubular insert adapted to be mounted in the end of a tube-like container and rigidly secured with respect thereto for carrying a closure device for the container.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a tubular carrier of relatively hard metal adapted for insertion in the end of a tube-like container and secured with respect thereto and serving as a mounting means for a closure member for the tube-like container.

A further object of our invention is to provide a construction of relatively hard metal insert adapted to be secured in the end of a relatively soft metal tube-like container, where the insert serves as a carrier for a closure device operative to allow the dispensing of the material from the tube-like container.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a construction of relatively hard metal tubular insert having longitudinally extending ribs thereon, adapted to grip the interior walls of a relatively soft metal tube-like container and to be secured thereto and serving as a carrier for a closure device operative for dispensing material from the tube-like container.

Other and further objects of our invention reside in the method and arrangement for securing a tubular insert in the end of a tube-like container for removing all mechanical strain from the walls of the container incident to the actuation of the closure means as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates our invention as applied to a tube-like container for paints, salve, shaving cream, tooth-paste, and other substances generally sold in collapsible tube-like containers; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the end of the tube-like container arid securing means for the tubular insert and closure device with the tubular insert illustrated in side elevation; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through the top of the tube-like container showing the closure device in cross section and in the position in which the closure device is opened for dispensing material from the tube-like container; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view ofthe hard metal insert which we employ in the end of the tube-like container; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the tubular insert illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a lateral cross sectional view through the closure device taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a lateral cross sectional View through the means for securing the hard metal insert in the end of the tube-like container taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the hardmetal' tubular insert illustrated in inverse posi-- tion for more clearly showing the longitudinally extending ribs on the exterior wall of the hard metal tubular insert for establishing the rigid connection with the end of the tube-like container having walls of relatively soft metal; and Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the hard metal tubular insert shown in elevation in Fig. 4.

Our invention is directed to that general type of closure illustrated in Patent 1,949,802, granted to Helen P. Lewis, March 6, 1934. We have found that it is desirable for purposes of manufacture and production to provide a relatively hard metal insert for the end of the relatively soft metal tube-like container, generally employed for dispensing paint, salve, shaving cream, toothpaste, and other substances sold in a collapsible tubelike container. The relatively hard metal tubular insert according to our invention is provided.

with longitudinally extending rib-like members which enter the interior of the end of the tubelike container and form a relatively tight union therewith. We provide securing means for engaging the screw threaded terminus of the ordinary collapsible tube-like container adapted to force the biting ribs on the hard metal insert into intimate engagement with the material of the tubelike container. The relatively hard metal tubular insert provides a carrier for a closure device adjacent to its upper extremity for controlling the movement of a pair of shutter members of the general construction shown in the Helen P. Lewis Patent 1,949,802, of March 6, 1934.

The hard metal tubular insert carries the entire closure mechanism and relieves all mechanical strain from the tube-like container which is of relatively soft metal.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, reference character I designates the relatively soft metal collapsible tube-like container for enclosing such contents as salve, paint, shaving cream, toothpaste and other substances. The tube l is provided with an annular neck 2 which is screw threaded as indicated at 3. The material of the collapsible tube-like container I is relatively soft and to avoid placing undue strain on the relatively soft metal screw threads 3, we thrust into the annular neck of the tube-like container the relatively hard metal tubular insert as shown at 4. The relatively hard metal tubular insert 4 has a depending cylindrical portion 5 and a laterally extending circular peripheral flange 6 as shown. The tubular insert 4 is screw threaded in a substantially central portion of its length and immediately above the lateral flange 6 as shown. The insert has a thimble-like or cylindrical terminus as indicated at 8. The terminus of the insert is provided with an aperture 9 for the discharge of contents of the tube-like container. Any desired shape may be imparted to the aperture 9 to insure the dispensing of the material from the tube-like container in preformed shape. The thimble-like terminus of the tubular insert is provided with sets of laterally extending pins shown at Iii and II, on which shutter members I2 and it are pivotally mounted. Shutter members l2 and M are each provided with interior aligned recesses Ho and i Act for receiving the sets of pins 58 and M, respectively.

We provide a rotatable member I5 with internal screw threads is therein for engaging the screw threads l on the tubular insert 4. The member i5 is provided with an annular shoulder I! for receiving the sleeve I8. The sleeve I8 has a knurled outside wall l9 which may be gripped between the fingers in effecting an opening or closing of the discharge aperture 9 of the tubelike container.

The sleeve i8 is provided with an inwardly directed annular shoulder 2E! which serves as an actuating means for the shutter members I2 and M. The upper end of the sleeve I8 is centrally apertured as at 2!. The shutter members 82 and I4 are provided with lugs 22 and 24, respectively. The lugs 22 and 24 project laterally from the shutter members 92 and M and are engageable by the annular shoulder 20 of sleeve I 8. The annular groove 23 on the interior wall of sleeve I8 has a sufficient clearance to allow the lugs 22 and 2 to angularly shift therein as the member I5 is rotated about the screw threads 7 on tubuiar insert 4. The lugs 22 and 24 are displaced as the shutter members I2 and I4 open and close. The upper circular face of member I5 abuts against lugs 22 and 24 in forcing shutter members I2 and l t closed, while the lower portion of annular shoulder 25} abuts against the upper portions of lugs 22 and 24 when the shutters I2 and I l are angularly rocked to open position.

The depending cylindrical portion 5 of the relatively hard metal insert is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 25. For the purpose of more clearly showing the longitudinally extending ribs we have illustrated the insert 4 in inverse position in Fig. 8. The longitudinally extending ribs 25 are shown displaced relatively to each other and shaped to bite into the soft metal wall of the neck 2 of the tubeke' container I. That is to say, the tubular metal insert 3 is thrust into the annular neck 2 of the tube-like container I causing the longitudinally extending ribs 25, each of which have inclined faces terminating in biting edges to be forced into the soft metal of the neck 2 of tubelike container I. An intimate interconnection is thus established tending to prevent rotation of the tubular metal insert with respect to the tubelike container I. As shown in Fig. '7 the biting edges of the longitudinally extending ribs 25 actually pierce into the material of the annular neck 2 of the tube-like container I. The tubular metal insert l is maintained in rigid position with respect to the tube-like container I by the abutment of flange 6 with the upper peripheral edge of neck 2. We provide a sleeve 26 having an inwardly projecting flange 2? thereon which is adapted to engage the upper peripheral surface of the flange 6. There are internal screw threads 28 on the sleeve 26 which are adapted to engage the external screw threads 3 on the neck 2 of the tube-like container I. By screwing the sleeve 26 into rigid engagement with the upper peripheral surface of flange 6, the lower peripheral surface or" flange 6 is forced into abutment with the upper peripheral edge of the neck 2, thereby substantially securing the tubular insert 4 in the end of the tube-like container I. The relatively hard metal tubular insert 1 carries substantially all of the strain to which the device may be subjected from time to time as the member I5 is rotated under control of the knurled finger grip surface I 9.

The soft metal threads 3 on the neck 2 of the tube-like container 6 are not directly engaged by the rotary actuator which operates the shutters, and therefore, are not subjected to rigid strains. On the other hand, the hard metal threads l .whioh are engaged by the screw threads it on rotary member l5 may be readily subjected to strains brought about by rocking the shutter members I2 and M to open or closed position without undue wear upon the closure device of our invention. The structure of the closure of our invention is such that the device may be readily applied to collapsible tubes and removed from such tubes after their contents have been completely discharged for attachment to fresh tubes. That is to say, the structure of our device Will far outlast the limited life of the collapsible tube to which the closure may be applied.

We have found the device of our invention highly practical in its construction, and while we have described the invention in a certain preferred embodiment we desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon our invention are intended other than those imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a collapsible tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a metallic insert adapted to be projected axially within said annular neck, means engageable with the screw threads on said annular neck for securing said metallic insert with respect to said screw threaded annular neck, and a closure device carried by said metallic insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the contents of said tube-like container to be discharged.

2. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck. means carried by said insert and engageable with the screw threads on said annular neck for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tube-like container.

3. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs disposed on the exterior wall of said tubular insert and engaging the interior wall of said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tube-like container.

4. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck,

the portion of said tubular insert introduced in said annular neck, having an exterior surface of irregular contour, means for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tube-like container.

5. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, teeth-like members carried by the exterior wall of said tubular insert and operative to establish an intimate connection with the interior wall of said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tubelike container.

6. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, members carried by the exterior wall of said tubular insert and forming rotative abutments for resisting tendencies of said insert to twist in said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tubelike container.

7. In a tube-like container having a. screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, projections on the outer wall of said tubular insert engaging the inner wall of said annular neck, an annular flange carried by said tubular insert and projecting in a plane normal to the axis of said tubular insert and forming a mounting for said tubular insert on the peripheral edge of said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure device carried by said tubular insert and adapted to be opened or closed for permitting the discharge of contents from said tube-like container.

8. In a tube-like container having a screw threaded annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, an annular flange carried by said tubular insert and extending in a plane normal to the axis of said tubular insert and providing a support for the tubular insert on the peripheral edge of said annular neck, screw threads formed on said tubular insert above said annular flange, means engaging said screw threaded annular neck and the upper peripheral surface of said flange for securing said tubular insert in position with respect to said annular neck, a closure device carried by said tubular insert, and an actuator engaging the screw threads on said tubular insert and operative to open or close said closure device for permitting the discharge of contents from said tube-like container.

9. A closure for tube-like containers comprising in combination with a screw-threaded tubular insert attachable to the neck of a tube-like container, a pair of shutters rockably mounted on said tubular insert and angularly shiftable to cover or uncover the end of said insert, a pair of telescopically connected members, one of said members engaging the screw threads on said tubular insert, and the other of said members having an inwardly directed flange adapted to form in combination with the first said member an annular channel for engaging projections on said shutters for shifting said shutters to open or closed position.

10. A closure for tube-like containers comprising in combination with a screw-threaded tubular insert attachable to the neck of a tubelike container, a pair of shutters rockably mounted on said tubular insert and angularly shiftable to cover or uncover the end of said insert, a pair of telescopically connected members, one of said members engaging the screw threads on said tubular insert, and the other of said members being substantially sleeve-like with an inwardly directed annular shoulder engageable with projections on said shutter members for shifting said members to open or closed position according to the movement of the member which engages the screw threads on the tubular insert.

11. A closure for a container comprising a tubular insert projectible into the container and carrying at the upper extremity thereof, a pair of shutter members, and a two-part device having one part thereof engaging said tubular insert and the other part thereof engaging said shutter members for angularly shifting said shutter members to open or closed position with respect to the end of said tubular insert.

12. A closure for a container comprising a tubular insert projectible into the container and carrying at the upper extremity thereof a pair of shutter members and a two-part device having one part thereof engaging external screw threads on said tubular insert and the other part thereof connected with the first mentioned part and engageable with said shutter members for angularly shifting said shutter members to open or closed position with respect to the end of said tubular insert.

13. In a container having an annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected interiorly of said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in non-rotatable position with respect to said annular neck, and a closure for the exposed end of said tubular insert, said closure comprising a pair of shutter members, and a two-part device having one part thereof engaging said tubular insert and both parts thereof being formed to provide in combination an annular channel therebetween for engaging projections on said shutter members for shifting said shutter members to opened or closed position.

14. In a container having an annular neck, a tubular insert adapted to be projected partially within said annular neck, means for securing said tubular insert in non-rotatable position with respect to said annular neck, screw threads formed on said tubular insert on the exposed portion thereof, and a closure for the exposed end of said tubular insert, said closure comprising a pair of shutter devices, and a pair of telescopically connected members, one of said members engaging the screw threads on said tubular insert, and the other of said members being substantially sleeve-like with an inwardly directed annular shoulder engageable with projections on said shutter members for shifting said members to opened or closed position ac- F cording to the movement of the member which engages the screw threads on said tubular insert.

HELEN P. LEWIS. WALTER S. LEWIS. 

